“The international community must stand firmly in preserving peace and stability, while local authorities are strengthening institutional functionality and advancing reforms. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as other Western Balkan non-EU countries, must take advantage of the shifting developments in Europe to further their integration into the EU,” said High Representative Schmidt at the 2026 IDU Forum in Zagreb, where he took part in the panel discussion “The Forgotten Frontier: The Western Balkans and Europe’s Unfinished Promise.”
He also had an opportunity to meet with regional and international leaders, reaffirming the strong support for BiH’s EU integration and its continued commitment to strengthening cooperation between BiH and EU member states.
IDU Forums bring together policy makers, senior party officials, and thought leaders from our global membership and beyond. IDU gatherings allow an open exchange and vigorous debates in a unique environment among like-minded partners committed to shared values of freedom and democracy.
Our Forums create value for participants by building relationships, discussing policy challenges, sharing best practices for campaigning and governing, and supporting parties in emerging democracies.
The IDU holds two Forums annually: our marquee IDU Forum in Washington, D.C. and a regionally focused Forum that alternates location. At our past Forums the IDU was deeply honoured to host high-level participants such as Chilean President Pinera, Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, Former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, Former Taoiseach of Ireland Enda Kenny, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, U.S. Senators Romney, Young, Barrasso, and Toomey, and many others.
